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Science News Archive 2024 - Page 32


Page 32 of 484

Insects wearing two hats solve botanical mystery

Researchers at Kobe University have discovered that ants and camel crickets are crucial in the pollination and seed dispersal of rare parasitic plants. These tiny arthropods play a unique dual role, visiting flowers for pollen and nectar while later feeding on leaves carrying seeds.

SourceKobe University·JournalEcology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 4, 2024

Infertility linked to onset of systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease after childbirth

Women with infertility are at higher risk of developing SARD, including lupus and Sjögren's syndrome, even after accounting for pre-eclampsia and other pregnancy complications. Infertility treatments do not appear to increase this risk, suggesting that women may be undiagnosed or untreated.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·JournalHuman Reproduction·TypeObservational study·DateDec 4, 2024

ETSU secures $900k defense grant

The US Department of Defense has awarded East Tennessee State University's Research Corporation over $900,000 to create a biomanufacturing facility that turns waste streams into valuable products. The project aims to bolster domestic bioindustrial manufacturing and advance sustainable manufacturing goals in Northeast Tennessee.

SNU researchers develop technology to optimize organic thermoelectric device performance using machine learning

Researchers at Seoul National University have developed a machine learning-based design of experiments method that optimizes the performance and process conditions of organic thermoelectric devices, enabling efficient evaluation of key variables and reducing experimental time. The technology has the potential to significantly improve d...

Climate-ready crop

A team from the University of Illinois has engineered a potato crop that can thrive in elevated temperatures, resulting in a 30% increase in tuber mass under heatwave conditions. This adaptation aims to improve food security for families dependent on potatoes, which are often affected by changing climate conditions.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 4, 2024

New clinical pathway supports cancer recurrence anxiety

A new clinical pathway aims to address the intense fear of cancer returning, empowering patients to regain confidence. The three-step plan involves assessment, diagnosis, and stepped-care support to tackle moderate to severe anxiety, which affects 60% of people living with or beyond cancer.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJournal of Cancer Survivorship·TypeSurvey·DateDec 4, 2024

Study uses game theory to rethink our pandemic responses

Dartmouth researchers propose a new way of thinking about masking and social distancing rules using game theory, considering them as two distinct actions. The study finds that people respond differently to these measures based on their perception of the disease's severity, trending towards masking or no protective action over time.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 4, 2024

Independent rice paddy methane model validated for global applications: Study highlights emission mitigation potential

A study validates an independently developed methane emission model for rice paddies, showcasing its advantages over the commonly used emission factor method. The model provides a detailed simulation of methane production and emissions under diverse conditions, enabling more effective mitigation strategies.

Key breakthrough in autism: pivotal role of CPEB4 condensates revealed

A study by IRB Barcelona has identified a molecular mechanism underlying idiopathic autism, linking the lack of a specific neuronal microexon to decreased gene expression crucial for neuronal development. The discovery reveals how CPEB4 condensates regulate gene expression and highlights potential therapeutic approaches.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 4, 2024

Owning a home in the US linked to longer life

The study found that homeownership was associated with a statistically significant increase in life expectancy, particularly among Black male Americans. Homeownership opportunities were significantly lower among Black Americans compared to White Americans, and expanding these opportunities may help narrow the gap in life expectancy bet...

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalDemography·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 4, 2024

A third of people from Chicago carry concealed handguns in public before they reach middle age, major 25-year study finds

A major US study found that around a third of Chicago residents carry concealed firearms by middle age, with differences in gun carrying between men and women. Gun carrying in adolescence often occurs in response to direct experiences of violence, while adults are more likely to carry due to perceived threats to public safety.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 4, 2024

Chinese Medical Journal article sheds light on the global lifetime risk of lung cancer

The global lifetime risk of lung cancer is 3.49%, with high-risk countries like French New Caledonia and Canada, while low-HDI countries have lower risks due to shorter lifespans and limited resources. After 40, the risk drastically increases, but residual risk decreases with age.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 4, 2024

Study shows significant rise in psychotherapy use among adults, but gains are uneven across socioeconomic groups

A recent study found a substantial increase in psychotherapy use among US adults with mild to moderate distress since 2018. However, the benefits of this growth have not been equally distributed, with privately insured individuals and those with higher family incomes experiencing greater gains.

Welcome Evo, generative AI for the genome

Evo, a generative AI model, uses patterns in microbial genomes to write new genetic code, expanding the length of sequences models can process and improving resolution. Researchers use Evo to understand microbial and viral genomes, fashion new proteins, and reprogram microbes for remarkable tasks.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateDec 4, 2024

Genetic data from ‘biobanks’ may help improve prediction of effectiveness, side effects of common medications, study finds

A new framework developed by UCLA researchers suggests that genetic data from large libraries of sequenced human genomes can improve the predictive power of genetics in determining how well a patient will respond to commonly prescribed medications and the severity of any side effects. The study, which analyzed data from over 342,000 pe...

Lessons from Earth's hottest epoch in the last 65 million years: How global warming could shrink the tropics' rain belt

New research reveals that during the early Eocene, the rain belt's seasonal shifts weakened dramatically due to extreme warming and a reduced Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). This ancient change could offer critical warnings about the impact of modern global warming.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateDec 4, 2024

Study reveals lasting effects of common herbicide on brain health

A new study reveals that glyphosate exposure in mice can cause lasting brain inflammation and accelerate Alzheimer's disease-like pathology, even after a significant pause from exposure. The herbicide's byproducts have been found to accumulate in brain tissue, raising serious concerns about its safety for human populations.

SourceArizona State University·JournalJournal of Neuroinflammation·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 4, 2024

Has childhood exposure to lead in gasoline contributed to mental illness?

Research published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found a significant association between childhood lead exposure and mental health symptoms. The study estimated that 151 million excess mental disorders were attributable to lead exposure by 2015, with differences most pronounced for people born between 1966 and 1986.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateDec 4, 2024